Shoe-lace fastener.



A. J. LEONARD.

SHOE LACE FASTENER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 22. 19:4.

3,159,539? Patented Nov. 9, 1915 14 [Lei /ward ionrrnn snares rarnn'r enrich.

ANDREW J". LEONARD, OF WEST BRANCH, MIEHIGAN.

SHOE-LACE FASTENER.

Application filed September 22, 1914.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ANDREW J. LEONARD, a citizen of the United States, residing at est Branch, in the county of Ogemaw and State of Michigan, have invented new and useful Improvements in Shoe-Lace Fasteners, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has for its object the provision of a novel form of lace fastener, primarily intended for use with shoes to clamp the free ends of the lace without necessitating tying of the usual bow, or subsequent to the tying thereof.

Other objects of the invention will appear as the following description is read in connection with the accompanying drawing, the invention residing in the specific construction hereinafter more fully set forth.

In the drawing forming a part of this application, wherein like numerals of reference indicate similar parts in the several views, Figure 1 shows a portion of a shoe upper with my improved fastener applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the device.

In the preferred form of my invention as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the fastener comprises a single length of resilient sheet metal 5 bent into Uforn1 and adapted to be clamped upon the upper edge of the shoe as illustrated. The front member 6 of the fastener is slit as at 7 to provide a relatively long centrally disposed spring finger 8 which extends upwardly and has its free end provided with a spherical head 9, as well as the relatively short fingers 10 arranged at the opposite sides of the finger 8. The fingers 10 are extended in a reverse direction from the finger 8 and project below the latter for normal engagement with the shoe upper and between which and the Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 9, 1915.

Serial No. 862,970.

fingers 10 the lace is effectively clamped, while the free ends of the said fingers are provided with spherical heads 11 and are In use after the shoe has been completely laced the ends of the latter-are wrapped around the fingers 10, thus being effectively clamped between them and the shoe, and subsequently arranged between the member 6 and the finger 8. When the lace is tied to form the usual bow, just one loop and end of the bow is clamped beneath the finger S.

It is believed from the foregoing description considered in connection with the accompanying drawing that the nature and advantages of the invention will be thoroughly understood without requiring a more extended explanation and therefore the same has been omitted. However I desire to have it understood that the device may be used anywhere where laces are employed, J

and that various changes in the construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to when desired as fall within the scope of the appended claim.

What I claim is:-

A shoe lace fastener comprising an inverted resilient U-shaped member adapted to embrace the upper edge of the shoe, the front wall of said member being formed with an upwardly extending centrally dis- I posed sprmg finger, and reversely disposed resilient fingers projecting below said cen tral finger and at the opposite sides thereof. In testimony whereof aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

. ANDREIV J. LEONARD. lVitnesses I'IENRY HAnNK, CHAS. \VAnsAw. 

